Question

Why did imperialists seek possession of colonies that had extractive economies? a) They wanted to expand trade into new overseas markets. b) They wanted to extend their political control over weaker nations. c) They wanted to gain an advantage in the competition for global resources. d) They wanted to provide the colonies with the raw materials needed for industry.

Answer 1

Imperialists sought possession of colonies primarily for economic benefits, to tap into rich sources of raw materials, and to find new markets for industrial goods, which is why they wanted to gain an advantage in the competition for global resources (option c). This also served to display national power and fulfilled strategic interests.

Step-by-step explanation:

Imperialists sought possession of colonies with extractive economies primarily to support the industrial economies of their own countries. They targeted areas rich in raw materials and agricultural potential. These materials and crops were essential to fuel the ever-growing demands of the Industrial Revolution's factories. So, the primary reason for this was c) They wanted to gain an advantage in the competition for global resources. Additionally, these colonies would serve as new markets for the factories' finished goods.

Getting control of such regions also involved a display of national power and competitiveness. For instance, Great Britain's competition with Russia over Afghanistan was largely about protecting its access to India. Not only were there economic motives, but establishing colonies was also intertwined with national prestige and military strategy.

The unfortunate reality was that these imperialistic endeavors resulted in exploitation and subjugation of the local populations. Europe's imperial powers often justified their actions by claiming to bring civilization or Christianity to the colonized, but their methods were usually oppressive and detrimental to the native peoples and environment.